Drier for artificial hair fibers

ABSTRACT

A drying device for artificial hair fibers which maintains complete airflow around all sides of the fibers by providing a ventilated surface for the hair fibers to rest on and forces air flow around the fibers being dried.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is in the technical field of drying devices and methods. More particularly, the present invention is in the technical field of drying devices and methods for artificial hair fibers.

Conventionally, hair extensions and other hair fibers are dried by placing them on a surface and allowing them to air dry. The problem with conventional methods is that they do not allow for complete air circulation and, as a result, the fibers take an extended amount of time to fully dry. The present invention allows full air circulation around the hair fibers which facilitates quick and complete drying.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a device designed to support hair fibers which maintaining complete airflow around all sides of the fibers by providing a ventilated surface as well as, in certain embodiments, forces air flow around the fibers being dried.

The advantages of the present invention include, without limitation, that it is relatively simple in mechanical operation and it is substantially faster than conventional methods. The use of a ventilated surface to support the fibers allows faster and more complete drying

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, claims, and accompanying drawings where:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a drier for artificial hair fibers of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a drier for artificial hair fibers of the present invention;

FIG. 3 s a perspective view of a second embodiment of a drier for artificial hair fibers of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 s a perspective view of a second embodiment of a drier for artificial hair fibers of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 depicts a first embodiment of a drying device 1 ventilated surface 2, multiple fiber strand attachment points 3, and multiple fiber strand retention bands 4

The first embodiment of the drying device 1 has a ventilated surface 2 which may be made of metal, wood, plastic, composite, or other rigid and durable material. The ventilated surface 2 shall also be constructed such that it is perforated or a screen such that air and water may readily pass through it. This embodiment 1 also includes multiple fiber strand attachment points 3 and multiple fiber strand retention bands 4. The fiber strand attachment points 3 may be clips, loops, hooks, or other common means of attachment and may be made of metal, wood, plastic, composite, or other rigid and durable material. The fiber strand retention bands 4 may be made of metal, wood, plastic, composite, rubber or other durable material. Further, the fiber strand retention bands 4 are attached to the ventilated surface 2 in a manner such that they may be removed and reattached without the use of tools.

To operate the first embodiment of the drying device 1, the fiber strand retention bands 4 are removed and an end of a strand of hair is attached to a fiber strand attachment point 3 and laid on the ventilated surface 2. Additional strands may be attached to the remaining attachment points 3 and laid in the ventilated surface 2. The retention bands 4 are then reattached to the ventilated surface such that the strands of hair are held between the ventilated surface 2 and the retention bands. The drying device 1 is then placed in an area of sufficient air flow and placed such that all sides of the device are apart from solid surfaces such that air is free to flow to all sides of the device 1 in order to dry the attached hair strands.

The second embodiment of a drying device 10 has a partially enclosed box 11 which may be made of metal, wood, plastic, composite, or other rigid and durable material.

The partially enclosed box 11 is open on one bottom side and includes a top panel 12 which may perforated, a removable front panel 13 which may be perforated and side panels 14 which may be perforated.

The second embodiment of the drying device 10 further includes a rack 15 which may be located inside the partially enclosed box and is supported by a plurality of protrusions 16 attached to side panels 14 and positioned such that the rack 15 is supported and sits parallel to the top panel 12.

The second embodiment of the drying device 10 further includes a powered fan 17 which attaches to a side of the partially enclosed box 11, preferably the bottom side. The powered fan 17 is sized such that it mates with the open portion of the open side of the partially enclosed box 11. The powered fan may operate via internal combustion, manual, electrical or other known power source with the preferred means of power being electric.

To operate the second embodiment of the drying device 10, the removable front panel 13 of the partially enclosed box 11 is removed and the rack 15 is removed from the device. Hair strands are then attached to the rack 15 such that the hair strands are suspended from the rack 15. The rack 15 is then placed back into the device 10 and the front panel 13 reattached. The box 11 is placed on the powered fan 17 such that the fan 17 is mated with the open bottom of the box 11. Then fan is then powered on such that air is forcibly drawn through the box between the fan 17 and the perforated walls of the box 11.

Alternatively, the second embodiment of the drying device 10 may be operated in conjunction with the first embodiment of the drying device 1. The removable front panel 13 of the partially enclosed box 11 is removed and the rack 15 is removed from the device. Hair strands are attached to the first embodiment of the drying device 1 as disclosed hereinabove. One or more of the first embodiment 1 are then attached to and suspended vertically from the rack 15. The rack 15 is then placed back into the device 10 and the front panel 13 reattached. The box 11 is placed on the powered fan 17 such that the fan 17 is mated with the open bottom of the box 11. Then fan is then powered on such that air is forcibly drawn through the box between the fan 17 and the perforated walls of the box 11.

While this invention has been described with the specific embodiments outlines above, the preferred embodiments set forth are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims. The claims provide the scope of coverage of this invention and should not be limited to the specific examples cited above. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A drying device configured to dry artificial hair strands comprising a ventilated surface, a plurality of fiber strand attachment points, and a plurality of fiber strand retention bands.
 2. A drying device configured to dry artificial hair strands comprising: A partially enclosed box with multiple sides, one or more of said sides being perforated, one of said sides being open, and a removable front panel; A removable rack configured to sit on studs attached to side panels of the partially enclosed box; and A powered fan configured to mate with the open side of the box such that the box abuts the fan.
 3. A drying device according to claim 2 further comprising: One or more devices configured to dry artificial hair strands a ventilated surface, a plurality of fiber strand attachment points, and a plurality of fiber strand retention bands which may be suspended from the removable rack.
 4. A method for drying artificial hair strands comprising: Attaching an end of one or more hair strands to a ventilated surface via attachment points affixed to the ventilated surface and Attaching retention bands to the ventilated surface such that the hair strands are held between the ventilated surface and the retention bands in such that the hair strands are secured to the ventilated surface in a manner in which air may circulate around the hair strands.
 5. A method for drying artificial hair strands comprising: Attaching an end of one or more hair strands to a rack such that the strands are suspended from the rack; Placing the rack and strands inside a partially enclosed box with one or more perforated sides and one open side; Mating a powered fan to an open side of the box; and Providing power to the fan such that it forces air through the box, around the hair and out of the perforated sides of the box.
 6. A method for drying artificial hair strands according to claim 4 further comprising: Suspending one or more of the ventilated surfaces, with hair strands attached, from a rack; Placing the rack inside a partially enclosed box with one or more perforated sides; Mating a powered fan to an open side of the box; and Providing power to the fan such that it forces air through the box, around the hair and out of the perforated sides of the box. 